| Sam Bird | |
| Fullname: | Samuel David Bird[1] |
| Birth Date: | 12 March 2003[2] |
| Birth Place: | England |
| Position: | Defender |
| Currentclub: | Chorley |
| Youthyears1: | –2021 |
| Youthclubs1: | Fleetwood Town |
| Years1: | 2021–2023 |
| Clubs1: | Fleetwood Town |
| Caps1: | 0 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2021 |
| Clubs2: | → Farsley Celtic (loan) |
| Caps2: | 2 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2022 |
| Clubs3: | → Hyde United (loan) |
| Caps3: | 5 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 2023–2024 |
| Clubs4: | Stockport County |
| Caps4: | 0 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Years5: | 2023–2024 |
| Clubs5: | → Stafford Rangers (loan) |
| Caps5: | 22 |
| Goals5: | 1 |
| Years6: | 2024 |
| Clubs6: | Stirling Albion |
| Caps6: | 0 |
| Goals6: | 0 |
| Years7: | 2024– |
| Clubs7: | Chorley |
| Caps7: | 0 |
| Goals7: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 12:22, 13 July 2024 (UTC) |
Samuel David Bird (born 12 March 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Chorley.
Bird progressed through the Academy at Fleetwood Town and signed his first professional contract with the club on 26 April 2021, signing a deal until the 2021–22 season, with the option of a further year in the club's favour.[3] [4] He had been an ever-present for the under-18 side over the campaign, scoring a memorable goal in the FA Youth Cup Fourth Round against Bristol City.[3]
He signed on loan for National League North side Farsley Celtic on a month-long deal, following a spate of injuries and suspensions for their defence.[5] Bird had impressed Farsley manager, Adam Lakeland, when playing against Fleetwood in a pre-season friendly weeks earlier and the two clubs had a strong relationship having loaned quite a few players of the past couple of years.[5]
On 31 December 2021, he signed a new one-year extended contract with the club until June 2023, again with another year option in the club's favour.[6] He had made the step-up to the first team for the 2021–22 campaign and made his debut against Barrow in the EFL Trophy on 5 October, replacing Chiekh Thiam as a substitute.[6] His full debut came weeks later in the same competition as Fleetwood lost 1–0 to Bolton Wanderers.[6] He also made the bench on a number of occasions for matches in EFL League One since then.[6]
On 28 January 2022, he signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division side Hyde United for his second loan deal of the season, for an initial one month.[7] [8]
After leaving Fleetwood, Bird signed for Stockport County in summer 2023.[9] He spent a loan spell at Stafford Rangers, joining in August 2023,[10] and leaving in January 2024,[11] having made 26 appearances in all competitions.[12] Later that month he signed for Scottish club Stirling Albion.[13] [14] [15] [16]
In July 2024, Bird joined National League North club Chorley.[17]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Fleetwood Town | 2021–22 | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2022–23 | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||
| Farsley Celtic (loan) | 2021–22 | National League North | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Hyde United (loan) | 2021–22[18] | NPL Premier Division | 5 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |||